To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Transient Occupancy Tax Agreement with Redwood Region Entertainment and Education Liaisons, Inc.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached Agreement with the Redwood Region Entertainment and Education Liaisons, Inc. (RREEL) and authorize the Chair to sign two (2) copies; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return the two (2) signed agreements to the Economic Development Division.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund - Transient Occupancy Tax
DISCUSSION:
The county receives transient occupancy tax (TOT) based on room night charges for stays in hotels in the unincorporated areas of the county. Unlike other taxes which are paid primarily by local residents, TOT is generated mostly from visitors to the area. For this reason, the county has historically devoted a portion of the TOT proceeds to support outside agencies that promote the county and increase TOT receipts.
From 2005 through 2009, the Humboldt County Convention and Visitor's Bureau (HCCVB) was the exclusive entity which received county TOT funds for promotional purposes. HCCVB then passed a portion of those funds on to other entities, including the chambers of commerce that support "gateway" information booths, as well as the Film Commission.
In 2009, your Board entered into two agreements, one with RREEL to provide TOT funding in exchange for promotion of the local film and digital media industry, and a separate one with HCCVB for general tourism promotion and passthrough to gateways. Based on analysis of historical passthrough funds from HCCVB, it was determined HCCBV would receive sixteen percent (16%) of prior year TOT collections, and RREEL would receive 4 percent (4%).
In 2013, your Board approved a new agreement with RREEL and increased RREEL's funding from the TOT to five percent (5%). That agreement was extended in...
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